Restaurant review: Otto Infinito (Mediteranean)

Now, why did I think that this newcomer Otto Infinito’s name was inspired by the Ottoman Turkish empire? (Could it be because I am obsessed by Turkey?) While it does have a smattering of Turkish dishes, the name refers to “8 to the power of infinity” (it opens at 8am folks). Over a period of time I ate four meals here. But to check out the Turkish dishes, who better than Turks who are not only passionate about their country but want all of us to be, too. The globe-trotting dashing Emin Cakmak, (Chairman of the Turkish Indian Tourism Council) and the lovely Victoria, his wife and partner of Hello Tourism accompany me. Symbolising the exotic, vibrant charm of Turkey is it’s Consul General Ceylan Ozen who works round the clock mesmerising all of us with the charms of Turkey, and her dapper businessman husband Ender Erisen, plays the man that every successful woman needs in her life.

FOODLets get it straight, the Turkish dishes “are not Turkish” as my Turkish guests pronounce “but tasty”. This is true of the Turkish kababs served with Harissa mayonnaise, while the Mezze dips (hummus, moutabel, labneh) are well-made. Their signature crisp Square Pizza topped with robustly spiced harissa chicken was good. On another day it was not topped with enough pepperoni. I also had a quick lunch of a dryish Multigrain Sandwich with Chicken; a well-made Spaghetti with Porcini and the above-average Maghrebi Mezze Platter. At breakfast, the baked egg Berber omlette was worth trying too. It’s the aldente spaghetti aglio olio and the ravioli plump with chorizo that comes out tops, while the chocolate dessert’s marriage with passionfruit just about passes muster.

DÉCORThis unpretentious, large (over 6,000 sq ft) bare space has alfresco dining, too. At night, the restaurant is suffused in a dim fluorescent light and appears more like an airport lounge. Floor to ceiling glass walls letting in the daylight, make lunch a much better option.

MINUS POINTSVery noisy at lunch time. Cold and stale bread, over-creamy Mushroom ravioli, swamped with sauce Moroccan chicken, dense truffle soufflé are all avoidable. The biggest disappointment at dinner was the overcooked rock salt fish. While the tuna carpaccio was great one day, it was stodgy the next. Ditto for the Hazelnut cheesecake and Limoncello sorbet.

MY POINTModerate pricing is its strongest point. The takeaway counter with its well-priced salads and baked products a sure boon for office goers. It is a open throughout the day, noteworthy but low-wattage addition to Mumbai’s eating out scene — an “if you happen to be” as opposed to a “you have to try” restaurant.

GO TASTE ITSince I will be in Paris (on work) when this mega-exciting taste festival wows Mumbai, I took time off to go on a pre-taste of it. We ate at four of the 20 restaurants, who will be showcasing their signature, tasting and iconic dishes. Started off at the progressive American ‘Ellipses’ went on to the Thai ‘Koh’, Olive and Tasting Room too. The exciting news is that come Feb 22, more than 20 highly acclaimed, stellar Indian and international chefs (Alain Fabrègues, Jehangir Mehta, Margot Janse and Vivek Singh to name a few) will be cooking.

Live chef demos, a farmers’ market premium food and drink features and exhibitors including wineries, coffee shops, patisseries, breweries among other exciting options too. Making all this possible are the dynamic team of Babso Kanwar, Rachna Sharma and Karen Anand.

“Taste festivals are all about gourmet food featuring the latest, greatest and most exciting restaurants… We think the city is ready for something as big and glamorous as ‘Taste of Mumbai’, says the multi-talented Karen. We agree. This ticketed festival, seems like the perfect recipe for a yummy weekend.

P.S: A pity that I won’t be here to do a fun cookout at the Fischer and Paykel taste theatre and social kitchen with the diva of Italian food, best-selling author and owner-chef Ritu Dalmia.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

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Author

World Gourmand Award winner Rashmi Uday Singh is the author of India's first-ever city restaurant guide. Singh studied law and management, and worked as a deputy commissioner with the Indian Revenue Service, which she quit after 15 years to train with the BBC. Singh has written 22 books on food, night life and people. She hosts TV shows and writes columns for Bombay Times and Chennai Times. She promises this blog will be as much fun as eating out with her, at a range of exciting places in India and abroad.

World Gourmand Award winner Rashmi Uday Singh is the author of India's first-ever city restaurant guide. Singh studied law and management, and worked as a d. . .